Presidential Search

Introducing Our Next President, Dr. Michael R. Volonnino

February 24, 2026

Bishop Fenwick High School and St. Mary of the Annunciation School are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Michael R. Volonnino as the next President, effective July 1, 2026.

Dr. Volonnino brings a distinguished record of Catholic educational leadership, currently serving as Principal of Archbishop Williams High School, where he has helped lead significant enrollment growth, major capital improvements, and mission-centered academic and spiritual development. He combines practical leadership experience with strong academic credentials, having earned a Ph.D. in Education Administration from The University of Texas at Austin, an M.Ed. from Rutgers University, and an A.B. from Harvard University.

A nationally recognized leader in Catholic education, Dr. Volonnino has presented at multiple National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) conventions and has contributed scholarly work on instructional leadership and educator effectiveness.

This appointment follows a comprehensive national search conducted over the past four months. The final candidates each spent two days on campus, meeting with faculty, staff, students, parents, and alumni as part of a thorough and collaborative evaluation process. The Board of Trustees unanimously affirmed the Search Committee’s recommendation, reflecting a strong and unified confidence in Dr. Volonnino’s leadership, vision, and character.

Our newly formed Transition Committee will move promptly and thoughtfully, alongside current President Thomas E. Nunan, Jr., to ensure a smooth and seamless leadership transition in the months ahead.

Dr. Volonnino currently serves as Principal of Archbishop Williams High School, where he has led enrollment growth, expanded academic programming, strengthened campus ministry, and partnered in nearly $20 million in campus improvements.

He holds:

• Ph.D., Education Administration – The University of Texas at Austin

• M.Ed., Rutgers University

• A.B., magna cum laude – Harvard University

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• His professional focus areas include:

  • Faculty development and instructional leadership

  • Strategic enrollment and retention

  • Catholic identity formation

  • Accreditation and institutional planning

“I am incredibly grateful and excited to join the Fenwick and St. Mary’s community. There is a visible momentum here that is hard to ignore, and it’s been inspiring to see how deeply the mission is lived out every day. My first priority is to listen and learn from all of you as we move forward together, staying focused on what matters most: preparing our students for lives of leadership, service, and purpose.”

— Dr. Michael R. Volonnino

Dear Members of the Fenwick and St. Mary of the Annunciation Communities,

At Fenwick and St. Mary’s, leadership is not just about guiding a school—it is about shaping lives, nurturing faith, and ensuring that each generation of students discovers the true meaning of an Education for Life. As we continue forward through this process, this site will serve as an information hub, offering timely updates and opportunities for engagement.

As we begin the important work of selecting the next President to lead Fenwick and St. Mary’s, we do so with hope, prayer, and purpose. This search is an opportunity to honor the extraordinary legacy of both of our schools while boldly envisioning a shared future. Guided by our values and enriched by the voices of our parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and—most importantly—our students, we are confident that this process will lead us to a leader who will inspire, serve, and steward our schools with wisdom, compassion, and vision.

Thank you for your trust and partnership,
Jay Juffre ’90
Chair, Presidential Search Committee
search@fenwick.org

Jay Juffre ‘90 — Search Committee Chair

Maura Sullivan ’83
Vice President, Product Management, Fidelity Investments

Vice Chair, Fenwick Board of Trustees 

Peter Tremblay ’76 P’08, ’12
Sr. Administrative Director (retired), Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital

Chair, Fenwick Board of Trustees